Arsenal's Thomas Vermaelen fury

Arsene Wenger accused the Belgium manager of forcing Thomas Vermaelen to play for his country

It is disrespectful. They forced him to report in Brussels

Arsene Wenger

Vermaelen (left) was crocked against Spurs last week but still played 90 minutes in a friendly against Greece.

He misses today’s game at Liverpool, prompting Wenger to consider reporting Belgium to FIFA. Robin van Persie is also a major doubt after playing through a groin problem against England but Leeken angered Wenger the most.

He said: “It is disrespectful. They forced him to report in Brussels. Once he was in Brussels they forced him to travel. Belgium has made a decision which I still do not understand and will look to see if we can put a complaint in.

“They had a centre-back on the bench who did not play at all.

“If Belgium had played a qualifier I would say, ‘OK, what can you do, that’s for the country’. But they played a friendly game. To go where? They do not even go to the European Championships.”